Anyone watching The Big Bang Theory, the most popular comedy series on American television these days, might get the impression that science is a rather lonely pursuit. Sure, Leonard and Sheldon must occasionally work together. (After all, some physics group once asked them to give a talk about a paper they had written together). And in the episode where Sheldon invited Raj to work for him, the two spent a hilarious few minutes staring intently — for what was supposed to be hours — at a white...